The ancient, aromatic 'tree of life' that once wandered across the Bering land bridge

Health · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From the Cretaceous period to modern-day hedges, the Thuja genus has a remarkable survival story. Known as arborvitae, these evergreen conifers possess a chemical complexity that ranges from vitamin-rich medicinal teas to potent, selective antimicrobial oils.

The Thuja genus, belonging to the Cupressaceae family, has a deep evolutionary history. While some hypotheses suggested an East Asian origin, current research indicates these trees likely originated in the Americas. During the Miocene, they are believed to have migrated to East Asia via the Bering land bridge. Fossil evidence even places an extinct species, T. polaris, in the Paleocene of present-day Canada.

Physically, Thuja species are characterized by their flattened, scale-like leaves and reddish-brown, stringy bark. They vary significantly in size, with some individuals reaching heights of 200 feet. The genus includes five extant species, such as T. plicata, which is vital to First Nations people in the Pacific Northwest, and T. sutchuenensis, a species thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in southeast China in 1999.

The chemistry of Thuja is as complex as its lineage. The essential oils of T. occidentalis are dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, specifically α-pinene. Studies have shown these oils possess selective antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria and Candida parapsilosis. However, the oil also contains thujone, a terpene that acts as a GABA receptor antagonist and can be potentially lethal in certain concentrations.

Beyond their biological complexity, Thuja has long been used by humans. Historically, Canadian natives brewed tea from T. occidentalis leaves to combat scurvy, as the leaves contain roughly 50 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. Today, cultivars like 'Green Giant'—a hybrid of T. standishii and T. plicata—are widely used in landscaping for their vigorous growth.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Despite their ominous name, hemlock trees are not poisonous and have no toxic properties.
• The Japanese cedar is a botanical traveler with a history spanning millions of years.
• From the world's tallest trees to your gin, the cypress family dominates the landscape.
• The incense tree family has been moving across the globe for 65 million years.
• The resilient birch family helped shape human history from ancient tools to modern plywood
• A butterfly gland in the neck meters metabolism with iodine
• The insect thorax is a high-performance engine powering everything from flight to leaping.
• Your shinbone is named after a Roman flute
• The thorax is a bony cage that keeps heart and lungs working
• Lime trees have nothing to do with limes, but everything to do with carving
• Milling grain strips out vitamin B1, so 59 countries put it back
• Tissue is the woven middle layer between cell and organ

More in Anatomy and morphology · More in Health · Latest · A–Z · All topics